How to Book a Disney Cruise
Why Using a Travel Agent is a Smart Choice
You can easily go to the DisneyCruise.com and find everything you need there to book your cruise for yourself. Itineraries, Information on cabins to help you pick what type you wish, prices and even some things you can add, like ground transfer are all there. You can just click away and book it for yourself. No additional fees added. Sounds easy enough, and honestly it is! Please read on!
There is another way to book. You can contact your trusted travel agent and tell them when you wish to sail, and cabin type (or ask for help deciding on cabin category), and they will book the cruise for you. If they have done the College of Disney Knowledge and they are working closely with Disney they should NOT charge any fees! Ask before booking if there are fees. If there is a fee, I highly suggest looking for another TA. TA’s are paid by commission from Disney, or whatever other company they are booking. The only time I honestly believe there might be a ligament fee is if the TA is doing something they normally do not do that does not pay commission. For some of us that is booking flight outside of Disney. With a reputable TA you should be able to look online for the same cruise, cabin category and see the cabin is the exact same price, with no fees added. That means even the quotes are FREE!
Why book with an TA when you can do it yourself?? If you find a good TA they will answer any and all questions. They should ask you questions, such as do you need a Handicapped Cabin. Do you have any special needs/concerns they should be aware of? Have you ever cruised before? Do you get motion sick? (If you get motion sick they should offer a cabin midship.) Have you ever sailed with DCL before?
The TA should be willing to tell you the pros and cons for every type of cabin level and help you decide what category and area of the ship is best suited to your needs. Should you book an Inside Cabin or one with a Oceanview, or Veranda? Will you be most comfortable in the forward section of the ship, midship, or aft? A good TA will be happy to give you a 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th quote if you want to compare or if the price is out of your budget. Don’t be afraid to ask if there is something for a lower price.
A good TA will be able to tell you what type of activities are available for every person in your traveling party. There is something for everyone to do on a Disney Cruise! Kids have Kids Clubs but also have some special, must book in advance (some with a fee) character meet and greets and there is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Teens and Tweens have their own special areas as well!! Your TA should tell you about the Adult Only Fun! From Adult only pools to Adult only dining. There are things to do! Your TA should be knowledgeable! Your TA should be able to tell you what type of Family Fun you can find on the ship.
Do you have special needs? Do you use a wheelchair/scooter or other mobility aide, CPap, or need a special diet due to medical need or allergies, have vision or hearing issues?? A good TA will know or take the time to find out what is available to assist you. They should find answers to all your questions. This is one of my personal specialties! If you have special needs and the TA refuses to look for information for you, I suggest you walk away. I personally learned that the hard way.
Don’t like or have time for sitting online trying to figure it all out? Don’t like sitting on hold, possibly for 4-7 hours for several days in a row to get an answer or a problem solved? Use a TA!! A TA dedicated to helping their clients be happy and safe and will be willing to make the calls and/or do the research for you! Post Covid-19 hold times are insane for all travel destinations, especially Disney!
What Information will you or your TA need to quote or book a Disney Cruise? Your TA cannot get an official and accurate quote without the following.
- Date of Cruise you wish to go on.
- Name of the Ship of choice,
- Category of Cabin(s) you are interested in (With me you can ask for comparisons, price two cabins of different categories so you can better choose what is best for you.)
- FULL Legal Names (First, Middle, and Last name) of all guests traveling with you in the same or linked cabins if your family/group needs more than one.
- Physical address (If the traveling group has different addresses, you should give all address to the TA).
- Email address.
- Phone number(s).
Once you have accepted the quote and decided to go on the cruise you will need to give your TA your Credit/Debit/Gift Card payment information. The TA should ask you to sign a Credit Card Authorization Form. This authorized the TA to charge the specified amount for your trip and that trip ONLY. You can make a deposit and then hold off on paying until the Pay In Full Date or make monthly payments. It is up to you. All you do to make a payments is contact your TA. They will make the payments. All charges should be made directly to Disney Cruise Line and NOT to the Travel Agent or Travel Agency. If charges, go through the Travel Agent or Travel Agency that is a red flag for possible mishandling of the funds.
Your TA should keep you updated on any changes with the Cruise Line. More than ever things change quickly! From Pay in Full Dates to Covid Testing requirements changes happen often. The TA should remind you when you are getting near to your Pay In Full Date. Your TA should remind you of the date you can book things to do on the ship and in ports and tell you if to do it you need to pay earlier than the Pay In Full date so you can start booking. When the time comes for Online Check-In your TA should offer to do it for you or explain the process so you can do it yourself if you wish. Your TA should remind you of the Pre Cruise Covid Requirements and assist you if needed in fulfilling the requirements.
In short, a TA will do the work so you, the client can PLAY!! A good TA should answer every question you have and even some you did not know to ask. Your TA is a valuable resource that is really FREE to use!
Do you want to book a Disney Cruise Line or other Disney vacation?
Let me know!
Carolyn@EliteMemoriesTravel.com
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